[Ygrec23]

Things are very tough for me and my wife right now. Our house may be foreclosed. We don't have lots of money to rent. We have tons of "stuff" and no money to store it. We have four beloved cats we couldn't possibly get rid of. So I have "dark thoughts" almost every day.

Then, out of the blue, my brother Don called us yesterday. His own problems make ours look like toasted marshmallows. And yet, and yet, he faces them all and REFUSES to let them get him down. Without hiding from them. Without ignoring them. He wades right into them and beats them all, without drowning in them, without obsessing about them, without letting them ruin his life. He's like the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. Talking to him is like an instant injection of courage and cheerfulness. No, he doesn't take drugs, he doesn't drink, he's not manic. He's just THAT WAY.

And no, he won't walk away from you if you need him, not just his brothers, but anyone! He'll spend as much time as he can, in such a kindly way, infusing you with his spirit that there is NO DOUBT you will survive and CONQUER whatever is getting you down, whatever is terrifying you. AND HE DOES IT! He doesn't just try to do this! He succeeds! Time after time! And he's just a normal, average guy without any training as a P-doc or a T. Apparently, there really ARE people like that out there!

As you might expect, I love my brother, love him more than he can possibly know. And admire him. And am proud of him. I don't really deserve to be his brother. But if he's just one, there must be others out there. Keep an eye out, people like him won't think it's an imposition to ask for some attention and help, without pay, without looking down on you or thinking he's better than you.

My conversation with him yesterday happened at just the right time. I was seriously thinking of doing something bad to myself. Then we talked. And the Bad Things went out the window. Am I lucky to have such a brother or am i lucky to have such a brother?

Take care!

[lynn P.]

(((Ygrec))) - this was a most enjoyable post to read and yes you're lucky to have your brother. I bet he's happy to have you as well. I also have an older brother who's great - he's 14 yrs older than me but never had that "I'm your big brother attitude". He's never once said or done an unkind thing to me. When I was 2 my father died and he 16 - my mother was devastated with 5 kids. He became the rock of the family and I have more early memories of him caring for me than anyone else.

I'm very sorry you and your wife are going through hell financially. We also went through bankruptcy 10 months ago. Good to know you have a shoulder to lean on.

Thank you for sharing, Ygrec23. I wish you and your wife success in resolving your current dilemma.

Be well.

That was inspirational. Thank you.

[thunderbear]

You are very lucky to have such an awesome brother. I hope you and your wife get all your stuff straightend out.

[Cthomas]

Thats a great and inspirational story. I am going through something similar with my house. thank you for the story, it has turned my attitude around for the good! I hope you can keep your home.

Colleen